Monday, May 2, 2011

Smile Transformations Give Mother Nature a Hand


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The bad news is that a cleft palate is one of the most common birth defects. The good news is that it usually treatable, with most of the major correction done before a child is out of diapers.

However, many patients require corrective surgical procedures throughout their adult lives to try to give them a pleasing smile.

In the past, our options were limited, but today we have a better understanding of how the skull and facial bones grow, new technologies (including soft and hard tissue lasers), and new dental appliances and treatments that are providing beautiful results.

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Correcting a facial deformity requires surgery. However, without performing major surgical procedures to move boney structures, we can use bonding (tooth-colored material that is layered over a tooth and sculpted to mimic a natural tooth), all-porcelain crowns and gum contouring to create a beautiful smile. [We chose not to include "before" photos because of their disturbing nature].

Building up the teeth can help correct a malocclusion (bad bite when teeth don't match up) and provide lip support to make the lip area appear full and even.

A soft tissue laser can be used to contour uneven or overgrown, unsightly gum tissue.

Finally, frequent professional dental cleaning can remove built up plaque that irritates gum tissue and starts the infection process.

If you want to improve your smile, we can discuss your options with you and create a treatment plan to give you a beautiful smile.

Houston dentist
Minh Nguyen, D.D.S.

Seal the Deal on Decay


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There are about 4 million children in the U.S who have difficulty sleeping, eating and learning because of caries (tooth decay). Caries is the number one, chronic childhood disease, and it is preventable. One simple way to prevent caries is applying sealant to the top surface of your child's permanent molars where the majority of cavities start.

It is especially important for us to examine your child’s first permanent molars when they erupt (about 6 years old). Permanent molars are susceptible to decay because the top surface is not smooth. There are cusps (bulges at each corner of the tooth), and pits and fissures between the bulges where bacteria and food particles can lodge. The bristles of your child's toothbrush often cannot dislodge all the food debris out of those deep crevices.

Bacteria feed on the lodged food particles and produce an acid that leeches calcium and phosphorous out of tooth enamel. This results in a soft spot on the tooth. If left alone, this spot eventually becomes a cavity.Image
We can prevent tooth decay with a resin material called a sealant. Sealant is brushed over the top of the pits and fissures. It quickly dries to form a hard, impenetrable surface. If placed in time, a soft spot rarely progresses to a cavity.
Statistics show that caries are reduced by 87 percent the first year the sealant is applied.

Sealant eventually wears down and must be reapplied about every four to five years.
It's important to remember that sealant is not a substitute for daily brushing, flossing, a tooth-friendly diet and regular dental examinations.

A sealant isn't just for kids; adolescents and adults can benefit from it, too!

Houston dentist
Minh Nguyen, D.D.S.